LONDON (Reuters) - A strong rally in emerging market assets, especially equities, helped lift assets under management (AUM) at money manager Ashmore Group Plc (LON:ASHM) by 9% in the last quarter of 2020, the group said on Friday.
The UK-listed emerging markets-focused investment group said its AUM increased by $7.5 billion between September and December with a positive investment performance of $8.1 billion offsetting net outflows of $600 million. Total AUM at the end of 2020 was estimated at $93 billion.
Ashmore shares rallied as much as 3.2% before changing hands at 453.4 pence, up just over 1%.
Chief Executive Marc Coombs said he expected the recovery in emerging markets to continue.
"While COVID will continue to affect individual countries differently, the deployment of vaccines supports the view that 2021 will see improved growth and importantly the growth in emerging countries is forecast to be higher than in the developed world," Coombs said in a statement.
Tom Mills, equity analyst at Jefferies, said the total AUM had come in "comfortably" ahead of the $88.7 billion consensus.
"Relative fund performance has improved with essentially all themes now outperforming benchmark over 9M and 1Yr numbers recovering well with several now ahead of benchmark," Mills told clients.
Emerging market stocks have been on a tear in recent months, scaling fresh record highs last week, fuelled by a combination of post-COVID-19 recovery hopes, mass global stimulus and a weak dollar boosted investor confidence.
Developing equities added 27% to Ashmore's AUM while external and local debt both gained 10%.
Looking at flows, Ashmore recorded net inflows into its overlay/liquidity, external debt and equities themes thanks to new clients, as well as existing ones increasing their investments, especially towards investment grade credit.
However, blended debt, corporate debt and local currency all saw net outflows, Ashmore added.